Nucleoid-Associated Proteins and the Emergence of Antibiotic Persistence in Escherichia coli: Molecular and Epigenetic Perspectives

Escherichia coli is a significant model organism and a primary human pathogen, becoming a significant problem with respect to treatment failure as a result of multidrug resistance and bacterial persistence. Persistence is a non-hereditary, reversible condition which permits subpopulations to endure lethal exposure to antibiotics, especially with a state of fluoroquinolone induced stress. This review recognizes the key issue of nucleoid-associated proteins (HU, H-NS, and Dps) in the organization of the genome, transcriptional repression, DNA protection, and adaptation to stress. These proteins engage with toxin antitoxin systems, stringent response, biofilm formation and DNA damage repair pathways to facilitate dormancy and persister cell survival. Moreover, the epigenetic pathways like the DNA methylation facilitate the rapid adaptation of phenotypes without the genetic alteration. Conceptualization of these integrated regulatory networks has offered fresh perspectives on persistent E. coli infections and helps in the establishment of anti-persister therapeutic approaches.